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**WELCOME** TO FAY'S HOME....When you Enter this Little room, Consider yourself One of the special Members of a group who Enjoys learning....anonymous

Welcome to Fayvelle V. Buie's Homepage created for teachers, students, and anyone interested in technology in education. As an invited guest, you will enjoy several features and privileges that are designed for all learners. For better enjoyment of this site please download the free Read Please reader http://www.readplease.com. Follow the easy to read instructions to convert this text to speech or to change the size of the font. Then enjoy!


Content
Uses for This Homepage
Philosophy on Technology in Education
Websites for Students: Literacy and Content Area Learning
Websites for Teachers: Useful Information on Technology Integration in Classrooms and Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology Software and Devices for Language Arts
Articles on Technology in Education
My Professional Development Plan for Assistive Technology
Wikispaces Use by K12 Teachers
About This Wikispaces Homepage



Uses for This Homepage

Here is where we will share a wealth of philosophy, knowledge, learning, and fun. You will be introduced to Special Education, Professional Teaching Organizations, and other useful educational websites.

We will discover together what technology, both old and new, has brought to Special Education. In addition, we will learn how technology is a usefule resource for students with and without disabilities.

This site advocates using the concept of Universal Design for Learning which enables anyone who wants to learn regardless of age, ability, socioeconomic, racial, cultural, and prior education status. By keeping in mind the concept of UDL, accommodations will be made to make your visit here as least restrictive and enjoyable as possible.

We will share license permissions to visit websites that promote education and enjoy exploring websites that have introductions, free demonstrations, and downloads. These websites will give users the tools they need to be able to keep up with the latest software and hardware that technology has to offer.


Philosophy on Technology in Education

As a person who received 100% of her childhood education without the use of technology such as computers, educational videos, and access to free Internet, I am a strong advocate for using technology (low-tech and high-tech) in education. I was only exposed to an education through the use of lectures, textbooks, and occasional field trips. Although I was an excellent student, it was not easy to keep up. On the other hand, 100% of my adult education has been from learning with technology and it has been much easier for me now than when I was a child. Because of these experiences it is my philosophy that technology, although expensive, belongs in the learning environment right along with the teacher.

Because of my past and present experiences in the field of Education, I am all for the newest technology to be continuously and professionally integrated into education just as often as new teachers with new ideas are professionally integrated into the career of education. I believe in technology that promotes Universal Design for Learning which allows all people access to an equitable education in the lease restrictive environment possible. I will keep myself current with technology and share information that will keep my fellow teachers, students, and their parents current as well.

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STUDENT WEBSITES


Websites for Students: Literacy and Content Area Learning

Conversion of text to spoken words in several languages is recommended for persons with visual, reading, or learning disabilities. Installation required.
Natural Reader: http://www.naturalreaders.com/download.htm

Conversion of spoken word to text is recommended for persons who cannot type for reasons of disability or poor typing skills. Installation required.
Dragon Naturally Speaking: http://www.nuance.com/naturallyspeaking

Graphic Organizers to be used in any content area are recommended to aid K12 teachers and students in lesson plan implementation, design, and completion of lessons. Installation required.
Inspiration and Kidspiration: http://www.inspiration.com

Students are you stuck on a Math problem? This is the one site that can help you solve virtually any Math problems. No installation required; just click on the link to visit the site
Math Manipulative: http://.webmath.com

Need the help of a teacher to solve your Math problems? Visit this virtual site that allows students to pick from over 50,000+ explanations, 700+Quizzes, and 70+textbooks. Once you chose your textbook and problem, a teacher’s voice and worksheet guides you through the step by step instructions to solve the problem. Great for students in grades 3-5 Pre-Algebra/Middle school Math, Algebra I & II, Geometry, Trigonometry, & Calculus. Installation required.
Cosmeo: http://www.cosmeo.com/math



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TEACHER WEBSITES



Websites for Teachers: Useful Information on Technology Integration in Classrooms and Assistive Technology

Visit these websites for current information on National Instructional Materials Accessibility Standard (NIMAS), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requirements for technology in the classroom:
NIMAS: http://nimas.cast.org/about/resources/index.html
UDL: http://www.udlcenter.org
IDEA: http://www.uni.edu/coe/inclusion/legal/index.html
http://www.accessibletech4all.org/policy/idea.cfm

Teachers in K12 classrooms can create symbols with pictures and graphics to assist communication for students with speech, language, and learning disabilities. Also, good for small children who need to develop good language skills. Installation required.
Boardmaker: http://www.mayer-johnson.com

Interactive tutorials and lesson plans are recommended for k12 teachers to assign structured websites and outlines for students to create, edit, save, and study for tests. Installation required.
Webquests: http://projects.edtech.sandi.net/staffdev/buildingblocks/p-index.htm
Read:Outloud: http://www.donjohnston.com/products/read_outloud/index.html



Assistive Technology Software and Devices for Language Arts

Visit this one-stop website to get information on Input Devices, Communication Aids, Mobility Aids, Switches, Alternative Keyboards, Visual Aids, Workplace Technology, and Software. Some devices included are:
Input Devices, Communication Aids, Mobility Aids
Alpha Talker, Dragon Dictate, Cooper Car
Kurzweil Voice, TDD/TTY, Ramps/Lifts


Switches, Alternative Keyboards, Visual Aids
Sip N Puff, Bat, Braille Embosser
Sensor Switch, Intellikeys,Screen Magnification

Plus Many More…. http://natri.uky.edu/assoc_projects/viewer/index.html


Articles on Technology in Education

Articles from The Journal related to technology in Education will be updated and kept current through this website. You can browse thousands of articles by topic and copy them:
http://www.magportal.com/c/edu/tech

One article (February 2008) I recommend from this site is called The Human Touch” because it focuses on some new tools and software innovations already occupying a principal role in the way districts protect their students, their staff, and their property. This is important because of ever-increasing violence in schools. http://www.thejournal.com/articles/22013

Another article from this site is from February 2003 but it is significant in providing background about technology in the classroom. It states that “schools report that technology is having a positive effect on children's learning and their perception of themselves as learners, which is why children with disabilities benefit from the use of assistive technology. The implementation of assistive technology is dependent on the knowledge, skill and inventiveness of the teachers who use what they have learned from higher education, their teaching experiences, and their attendance at continuing education programs and in-service classes. http://www.thejournal.com/articles/16270


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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT


My Professional Development Plan for Assistive Technology

To stay current concerning technology in education, I plan to attend seminars, take additional courses, and purchase any software and hardware necessary to assist my students and myself in learning and teaching. The benefits of taking classes and updating my software and hardware will be realized when all of my students learn in the least restrictive environment possible. Technology can help create that environment for them.


Wikispaces Use by K12 Teachers

Teachers in K12 classrooms can purchase Wikispaces licenses and sign up their students. Through these spaces, each student can create their own homepage, and join in discussions and chats with their classmates. Teachers can input class assignments, homework, and special projects for viewing by students and their parents. Honesty will be necessary for this site to remain private to members, but teachers can lock those pages where security is a must. Teachers, students, and parents will enjoy the many websites, articles, and activities posted on the member pages.


About This Wikispaces Homepage

This homepage will be maintained by Fayvelle Buie through my membership obtained from my Assistive Technology instructor. I will purchase membership permission myself before my membership with her expires. I will also purchase license agreements for my students when I start teaching. This homepage can also be inserted into my Livetext Portfolio as one of my artifacts in teaching.

Coming Soon!
Student-centered, curriculum-centered, and teacher-centered websites offering hundreds of lessons, and activities!